Genuine respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultures is central to all Sodexo seeks to achieve under this RAP Elevate. At the broader community level we will continue to increase our involvement in important cultural events, not only by our sponsorship but through our visible leadership within Sodexo and the business community. Within Sodexo, we will strive to improve the working environment so it is understanding and appreciative of and sensitive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. We will significantly improve the governance of our RAP to ensure we deliver on our more ambitious goals. We will integrate our commitments into Sodexo’s Quality of Life purpose, our business strategy and the fibre of Sodexo in Australia.

Reflecting on our achievements:

• Completed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country Protocol Guidelines.

• Collaborated with and supported Community Arts Network of WA (CANWA) in the preparation of the “Creatively Building Cultural Competency” pilot training program.

• Sponsored 12 Sodexo managers to undertake Ngarluma cultural training for employment in Karratha.

• Supported Sodexo’s leadership and operational teams to conduct two Roebourne Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi community visits (Gala dinners & Town Hall meeting) and the annual pilgrimage to Yolngu country in northeast Arnhemland for Garma 2014.

• Hosted Tanya Hosch, Joint Campaign Director of Recognise and Peter Dawson, Youth Campaign Coordinator of Recognise to an afternoon tea and conversation with the Sodexo Leadership team.

• Participated in 2014 RAP Barometer Survey.

Reflecting on our lessons learned

In Karratha the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sub-contractors have told us that:

• They want to educate the wider community on the richness of local Aboriginal community;

• They need a commitment from Sodexo to walk alongside and together with the community; and

• The community needs to know who to connect with in Sodexo and consistency with key contacts.

Other lessons are:

• Engage more Sodexo employees to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and communities and come from a place of awareness and understanding;

• Focus on changing underlying attitudes - changing behaviours through compliance procedures is not enough; and

• Bring staff together to learn and understand and drive Sodexo’s reconciliation commitments.